Plans for more than 100 homes could help preserve historic estate

Proposals for 140 houses off Wetherby Road in Bardsey were submitted last week by Bramham Park Estate and Sandby Ltd, to cover costs maintaining 27 listed buildings.
Its application includes a case for special circumstances to build on the green belt land to preserve the historic assets.
Local housing needs for 55 two-bed homes, identified through the Bardsey-Cum-Rigton Neighbourhood Plan, has also been highlighted in proposals to sell off the land.
A spokesperson for Sandby Ltd, Bramham Estate’s project manager for the development proposals, said: “Our proposals will help address Bardsey’s housing needs into the future and also provide much needed funding so that urgent restoration work can be carried out on a large number of important heritage assets on the Estate. 
“The sale of the land at Bardsey is the most appropriate and sustainable way for the Estate to raise the substantial funds required.”
A letter from Historic England in the application states local historic parkland has been in decline since 1918, now currently standing at 2.5 percent of the area.
Support for the plans could not be given by the government organisation but fund raising through selling off estate assets was dismissed as an option.
Planning documents read: “To preserve the outstanding qualities of the estate, we would agree that it is essential that the historic buildings and landscape should remain under single ownership and management and therefore consider that piecemeal sale to fund repair is not an option.”
Residents raised concerns at a public consultation, held in October last year over the potential increase in population and vehicles. 
Since the application was submitted last Thursday six objections have been received highlighting similar issues.
Kevin Kelly said: “The schools and surgeries are at capacity and the A58 is already busy from 6am to 11pm, more traffic will result in further accidents and fatalities.”